College of Charleston
New Mexico
Softball Splits Day Two Of CofC Invitational
3/15/2015 6:12:00 AM | Softball
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston softball team split a pair of games Saturday evening in day two of the CofC Invitational Tournament.
CofC could not overcome New Mexico, losing, 7-4, in game one but The College rebounded with a, 4-1, victory over the Memphis Tigers in game two.
“Sam Martin was in excellent on the mound tonight with nine strikeouts”, Head Coach Linda Kalafatis said. She was in complete control of her pitches and we played excellent defense behind her.”
Samantha Martin (5-3) pitched a complete game against Memphis striking out nine and only allowing one earned run.
Freshmen Sara Garcia hit her team leading fifth home run of the season against New Mexico in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rebecca Mueller went 3-6 on the day, drawing a walk a knocking in two RBIs.
“We put a complete game together”, said Kalafatis. Our kids admitted that they make be thinking a little too much at bat in the last week or so but we just let them go. We just let them loose and I think that helped. “
The Cougars will take on Marist Sunday March 15 at 1:30 p.m. along with a matchup with Furman immediately after in the CofC Invitational finale at 3:30 p.m. Live stats for all Cougar Classic games will be available on CofCstats.com.
For the full tournament schedule, click here. All times are subject to change. For information about tournament progress, weather delays, and other details pertinent to the tournament, follow @CofCSoftball on Twitter.
New Mexico 7 CofC 4
In game one, the Cougars couldn't get the bats going until the sixth inning. New Mexico took advantage in the fourth inning with CofC giving up four runs on three hits and three errors that would ultimately doom The College.
Freshmen Taylor DuPree led off the fifth with a single up the middle. Senior Mackenzie Maples doubled the next at bat, scoring DuPree all the way from first. Junior Rebecca Mueller hit a single of her own next at bat, plating Maples from second and cutting the Lobos lead to 7-2. In the next inning, Sara Garcia would send a two run moon shot over left field to move within three of New Mexico.
Valerie Cassell pitched well in relief of Hope Klicker, stirking out three in as many innings and not issuing a walk. She sat down the Lobos in order two of her three innings pitched.
CofC 4 Memphis 1
In the nightcap, Samantha Martin started the game striking out 5 batters in the first two innings on her way to nine strikeouts for the game.
CofC backed up Martin's strong performance starting in the fourth, when Rebecca Mueller doubled in Taylor DuPree to take a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers answered in the fifth inning with an RBI triple from Cierra Mangum to knot the game at 1-1. Mackenzie Maples clutch double scored two of the three runs for The College in the bottom of the sixth giving CofC a 4-1 lead.
“We got a couple clutch hits, one in particular being Mackenzie Maples two RBI double to right field in the bottom of the sixth was crucial. What led up to our success was the execution of Victoria Bratcher's bunt that forced a bad throw. We were going to have Morganne Parker try the same thing but she drew a walk giving Bratcher an opportunity. “
Visit CofCsports.com or follow us on twitter @CofCSoftball and Instagram @CofC_Softball for all CofC Invitational updates.
